Anthony Brown

Hearts defeated Inverness 6-2 to reach the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals after initially surrendering a half-time lead. Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken substituted Amadou Ba-Sy at the interval, saying the French forward must show more energy and take responsibility while adapting to Scottish football and Hearts' style. Inverness manager Scott Kellacher praised his side's performance for 82 minutes but admitted they capitulated during the final 10 minutes.

Hibernian secured a 2–1 aggregate victory over Shkëndija after holding the North Macedonian side to a goalless draw in a hot second leg in Skopje. Warren O’Hora’s late first-leg goal ultimately separated the teams. Shkëndija applied pressure late on, but Hibs’ defence held firm, allowing the club to advance to the UEFA Conference League play-off, where they will face Belgian side Gent.

Hearts secured their first win under head coach Wouter Vrancken with a 4-0 victory over Dundee United at Tynecastle. Tom Renaud, Calvin Miller, Josh McPake and Claudio Braga scored, with Vrancken praising the team’s spirit and growing confidence after four consecutive defeats. The result came as Hearts prepared to lose Alexandros Kyziridis in a proposed £1.7 million move to Turkey. Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin revealed that his club had tried to sign Renaud in the summer and argued that the scoreline overstated the difference between the teams, while acknowledging Hearts’ greater efficiency in the final third.

Aberdeen came from behind to defeat Hearts 2-1 at Pittodrie with two goals in the final minutes. Hearts led through Oisin McEntee and appeared to be securing a long-awaited win at Aberdeen, but Lewis Mayo equalised in the 90th minute before Kevin Nisbet converted a stoppage-time penalty after Stuart Findlay was sent off. Hearts manager Wouter Vrancken said his team had controlled most of the match but lacked the concentration and resilience to see it out, while Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson praised his much-changed side for showing the fight that had been missing last season.

Derek McInnes declined to comment directly on a potential move for Lewis Ferguson but said Rangers are focused on securing technically strong players and will remain patient to complete their summer rebuild. He highlighted the need to integrate new signings and continue strengthening ahead of the season opener, while acknowledging possible interest in Nico Raskin after his World Cup performances. McInnes also indicated he will delay appointing a new captain following James Tavernier’s departure, preferring to build leadership depth before making a final decision.